Joe Wallis, senior military engagement manager for Military Affairs at Microsoft, manages Microsoft’s on-base military engagement for Microsoft Software and Systems Academy, as well as Microsoft’s other military programs. Joe has supported military recruiting and engagement at Microsoft for more than four years, and more than half of his nearly 20 years of recruiting experience have been focused on transitioning veterans. A second-generation service member, Joe is a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and has 28 years of combined active and reserve service. Upon commissioning as a second lieutenant, Joe spent more than five years on active duty as a communications officer and recruit training commander. He served on active duty for more than five years post-9/11, supporting the European Command, Southern Command and Headquarters Marine Corps. Joe earned a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master of arts in international relations from the University of Miami. He has also studied at the Naval War College, the Joint Forces Staff College and the National Defense University.
#WeAllServe – Episode #24 with Todd Uterstaedt
Ask former Army Intelligence Officer Todd Uterstaedt which characteristics are most important for success in the corporate world and he will respond that they are similar to the characteristics for success in the military world, honor, integrity, respect, focus and dedication. As co-founder and chief executive officer of Baker & Daboll, he has coached CEOs, presidents, CFOs, COOs, leaders and managers on how to be better leaders. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in communication arts in 1993, Todd took advantage of the many leadership development opportunities available at Hofstra. His involvement in ROTC and his time spent as an RA were the groundwork for his career as a military officer and later the leader of an international executive coaching firm. Todd used his experience as second lieutenant in a combat engineer battalion to learn about the importance of teamwork and loyalty. It was Todd’s experience in South Korea that left him humbled and eager to learn more, a quality that stays with him today. Todd lives by the phrase “Never Give Up,” and this is undoubtedly the mantra that has led to his many successes. He uses his leadership and communication skills to transform some of the country’s foremost business leaders, and he hopes to gain international recognition in the years to come. Todd is married and lives with his wife and two children in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason, Ohio.
#WeAllServe – Episode #24 with BG (Ret) Gary Profit
Retiring after 31 years in the U.S. Army, Brigadier General Gary M. Profit began his transition to a civilian career – and developed a passion for helping other military veterans do the same. In 2008, Gary joined Walmart as its Senior Director of Military Programs. On Memorial Day 2013, he set about delivering on the retailer’s commitment to hire 100,000 veterans by 2018. To date, Walmart has hired more than 70,000 veterans. On Veterans Day 2010, the Walmart Foundation announced a five-year, $10 million commitment to support veteran employment and transition, and, in August 2011, increased the commitment to $20 million. In 2014, the Foundation delivered on its promise more than a year in advance and committed another $20 million to ensure the support continues through 2019. Gary believes that much can be achieved by empowering veterans to use their considerable skills in their new futures. “Once you get in the door, the advancement opportunities are endless.”
#WeAllServe Episode #23 – Episode with David Muir
David Muir is the leader of the Easterseals’ Veteran Staffing Network (VSN), an innovative program designed to be the first sustainable solution for veteran unemployment. My role on the team is working with businesses to build partnerships with lasting impact. The services our team provide are focused on connecting organizations who desire amazing employees to our veterans and military spouses, using a staffing model. We are dedicated to providing top tier military talent to employers and getting our veterans and their spouses into great career opportunities. Our social mission is to educate service members and their families on the skill of job search. Our robust curriculum of 68 courses and nearly 200 learning objectives covers the entire spectrum of job search. All at no cost to the student. Historically programs like this have been funded by government grants or philanthropy, neither of which is a sustainable funding stream, comes with restrictions on who can access the training and where it is delivered and causes people to “fall through the cracks.” To reach sustainability, the VSN employs a full service placement firm model. Our rates are industry standard (20% fee for direct hire, 90 day guarantee) and a 6 month temp-to-hire with zero conversion fee at the completion of 6 months of hourly work, competitively billed. The unique difference using the VSN vs. other staffing firms is we are a non-profit, only work with people from the military community (vets, guard and reserve, wounded warriors, spouses, dependent children) and every penny invested on VSN services pays for other vets to receive social services and career coaching. Results to Date: The VSN is in its 7th year of operation and our work has helped just over 2,500 veterans and family members find employment in 35 states. The revenues from these placements have provided the infrastructure to provide intensive career coaching services to more than 11,000 people. The VSN also provides subject matter expertise on veteran employment programs to our clients.
#WeAllServe Episode #22 – Episode with Ryan Walsh
Ryan has been an integral part of the creation of Valqari’s Smart Drone Delivery Mailbox and focuses his efforts on product development, intellectual property and strategic partnerships in an effort to ultimately reshape the future of the logistics industry. Prior to Valqari, Ryan served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 75th Ranger Regiment. Upon completing his tours of duty, Ryan successfully led several business operations in industries including retail and service in a partnership with Co-Founder Alex Falesch for the past 10 years.
#WeAllServe Episode #21 – Episode with Lee Farmer
#WeAllServe Episode #19 – Episode with Ruthie Bowles
#WeAllServe Episode #18 – Episode with Rod Levy
#WeAllServe – Episode #16 with with John Dankowski
John Dankowski joins Robert Lewis and Shalom Klein on #WeAllServe.